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Originally posted by drill sgt:
Correct me but thought that a grand jury inditement (a true bill) vs a (no true bill) only indicates that there is probable cause to bring that person to trial... or let the person go free..... And that the DA guides the panel so depending on the findings he can say his hands are/were tied as to whether further legal proceedinds are carried forward or dropped ...... Copout on the DA"s actions depending on the grand jury findings. .........,,,,,,,.... drill sgt.

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Originally posted by drill sgt:

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Originally posted by StorminNormin:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by drill sgt:
Correct me but thought that a grand jury inditement (a true bill) vs a (no true bill) only indicates that there is probable cause to bring that person to trial... or let the person go free..... And that the DA guides the panel so depending on the findings he can say his hands are/were tied as to whether further legal proceedinds are carried forward or dropped ...... Copout on the DA"s actions depending on the grand jury findings. .........,,,,,,,.... drill sgt.

Your understanding is correct. A police detective usually presents their case to the DA and the DA will decide if they are going to take it based on if they feel they have enough to take to grand jury and eventually trial.

The DA then presents the facts to

Probable cause is just below preponderance and preponderance is greater than 50% proof they did it. If a DA takes a case to grand jury and gets a “No bill” t when I hear about or read about a grand jury verdict

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Originally posted by drill sgt:

quote:

Originally posted by drill sgt:

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Originally posted by StorminNormin:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by drill sgt:
Correct me but thought that a grand jury inditement (a true bill) vs a (no true bill) only indicates that there is probable cause to bring that person to trial... or let the person go free..... And that the DA guides the panel so depending on the findings he can say his hands are/were tied as to whether further legal proceedinds are carried forward or dropped ...... Copout on the DA"s actions depending on the grand jury findings. .........,,,,,,,.... drill sgt.

Your understanding is correct. A police detective usually presents their case to the DA and the DA will decide if they are going to take it based on if they feel they have enough to take to grand jury and eventually trial.

The DA then presents the facts to

Probable cause is just below preponderance and preponderance is greater than 50% proof they did it. If a DA takes a case to grand jury and gets a “No bill” t when I hear about or read about a grand jury verdict

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Originally posted by germandogs:
Did a stint on a Federal Grand Jury in Charlotte years ago. Was very interesting.

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Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Federal law requires that a grand jury be selected at random from a fair cross section of the
community in the district or division in which the federal grand jury convenes. Thus, all citizens have
an equal opportunity and obligation to serve.
Pursuant to law, the names of prospective grand jurors are drawn at random from lists of
registered voters or lists of actual voters, or other sources when necessary, under procedures
designed to ensure that all groups in the community will have a fair chance to serve. Those persons
whose names have been drawn and who are not exempt or excused from service are summoned to
appear for duty as grand jurors. When these persons appear before the court, the presiding judge
may consider any further requests to be excused. The judge will then direct the selection of 23
qualified persons to become the members of the grand jury.

LINK: https://www.ndd.uscourts.gov/j...ook_grand_jurors.pdf

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Originally posted by DaBigBR:
Is this level of grand jury service typical in Texas? I know you're in a populated area, but, for example, in my state, criminal charges (up to murder) can be taken before a grand jury or filed via trial information. Nearly all cases across the entire state are filed by trial information. Grand juries are empanelled in all counties, but the actual service in most cases is limited to a short training and a tour of the jail (one responsibility of a grand jury here is inspecting the condition of the jail). My wife was on the grand jury in our county last year (and ended up being the forewoman) and it was a major non-event.

The most common thing you see taken to grand juries are officer-involved shootings, and even that is not legally required.

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Originally posted by photohause:
Bring a chair seat cushion.....all the court room benches I had sat on are hard wood. They will allow it.

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…the questions people asked were totally off the wall and unrelated to anything!…

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Originally posted by trapper189:

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…the questions people asked were totally off the wall and unrelated to anything!…

Are you allowed to give examples?

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Originally posted by StorminNormin:

quote:

Originally posted by DaBigBR:
Is this level of grand jury service typical in Texas? I know you're in a populated area, but, for example, in my state, criminal charges (up to murder) can be taken before a grand jury or filed via trial information. Nearly all cases across the entire state are filed by trial information. Grand juries are empanelled in all counties, but the actual service in most cases is limited to a short training and a tour of the jail (one responsibility of a grand jury here is inspecting the condition of the jail). My wife was on the grand jury in our county last year (and ended up being the forewoman) and it was a major non-event.

The most common thing you see taken to grand juries are officer-involved shootings, and even that is not legally required.

Probably really depends on the jurisdiction. In the county I reside, all felonies are presented to a grand jury. Other areas may go with an information instead of an indictment. The county in which I once had to testify before the grand jury as the investigator in the crime, all felonies are presented to the grand jury.

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Art. 1.05. RIGHTS OF ACCUSED. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have a speedy public trial by an impartial jury. He shall have the right to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, and to have a copy thereof. He shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself. He shall have the right of being heard by himself, or counsel, or both; shall be confronted with the witnesses against him, and shall have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor. No person shall be held to answer for a felony unless on indictment of a grand jury.